Concrete forming panel system

ABSTRACT

A concrete forming panel system having at least two rectangular panels wherein each panel has a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. Each panel has at least one opening along each sidewall and the panels are adapted to be positioned in a side-by-side relationship so that one sidewall of each panel abuts against the sidewall of the adjacent side panel and, upon doing so, the opening in one sidewall of the first panel registers with the opening in the abutting sidewall of its adjacent side panel. An elongated pin is slidably mounted to each panel and movable between an extended position in which the pin extends through registering openings on adjacent panels, and a retracted position in which the wall pin is retracted from said registering openings. A latch is pivotally mounted to the pin so that, with the wall pin in its extended position, the latch pin extends through a transverse opening in the pin to lock the sidewalls of the adjacent panels together against relative movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a concrete panel forming system.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In order to form poured concrete walls, it has been the conventional practice to utilize concrete wall forms to form the cavity into which the concrete is poured. These concrete wall forms are typically constructed from rectangular panels that are secured together in side-by-side relationship in order to form the concrete receiving cavity.

[0005] The panels which form the concrete wall forms have been constructed of several different materials. For example, wood panels constructed from plywood sheets supported by wooden studs were utilized for a long period of time. Such wall form panels, however, easily become damaged and require replacement.

[0006] More recently, concrete forming panels constructed of metal, typically aluminum, have been utilized in lieu of the previously known wooden concrete forming panels. Such metal concrete forming panels enjoy long life, high strength and relatively low cost.

[0007] In order to assemble the concrete forming system, a plurality of metal panels are placed in side-by-side relationship along one side of the concrete wall to be formed. Similarly, additional panels are positioned in a side-by-side relationship along the other side of the concrete wall to be formed so that the first series of panels are spaced apart but generally parallel to the second series of panels thus forming the cavity corresponding to the desired concrete wall.

[0008] During a concrete pouring operation, the concrete exerts a great deal of pressure on the forming panels due to the weight of the concrete. Consequently, in order to maintain the concrete forming panels in a fixed position during the concrete pouring operation, it is necessary to lock the adjacent forming panels together during the concrete pouring operation, and thereafter unlock the panels from each other.

[0009] One such locking system for use with an aluminum panel system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,009 to Easton, which issued on Dec. 4, 1990. In this concrete panel forming system, each panel included a pair of spaced apart sidewalls with a metal sheet extending over and covering the sidewalls. Each sidewall, furthermore, included a plurality of spaced apart openings so that, when two adjacent panels were positioned in a side-by-side abutting relationship, the openings in the sidewall of one panel registered with the openings in its abutting sidewall of the adjacent panel.

[0010] An elongated wall pin was then slidably mounted to each panel so that one wall pin registered with one opening along one of the two sidewalls. This wall pin, furthermore, was laterally slidable between an extended position, in which the wall pin extended through the registering openings in the adjacent side panels, and a retracted position in which the wall pin was retracted from the openings. An enlarged diameter collar on the wall pin abutted against the sidewall of its associated panel when the pin was in its extended position.

[0011] With the wall pin in its extended position, a wedge-shaped latch commonly called a wedge was then inserted through a transverse opening in the wall pin adjacent the free end of the wall pin. In doing so, the two abutting sidewalls of two adjacent panels were trapped between the enlarged diameter collar on the wall pin and the latch thus locking the adjacent side panels together against relative movement. Following a concrete pour and curing of the concrete, the wedge was then removed from the wall pin, the wall pin moved to its retracted position thus detaching the panels from each other.

[0012] A primary disadvantage of this previously known wall forming system, however, is that the wedges were completely separate from the wall panels. As such, the installer of the concrete forming system needed to carry a supply of wedges in addition to the concrete forming panels themselves. This not only resulted in an awkward and cumbersome assembly of the concrete forming panel system, but in some cases the installer had an insufficient number of wedges needed to secure the panels together. When this occurred, it was necessary to interrupt the installation of the concrete forming panel system until additional wedges could be obtained and used to secure the adjacent panels together. Additionally, upon disassembly, the wedges can be dropped and lost in the mud and water that often exists in the work area.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0013] The present invention provides a concrete panel forming system which overcomes all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known systems.

[0014] In brief, the concrete panel forming system of the present invention comprises at least two rectangular panels, each panel having a pair of spaced apart side rails. The side rails are constructed of metal, preferably aluminum, framing members and a metal sheet extends across and between the side rails.

[0015] Each side rail includes at least one and preferably several spaced apart openings along their length. The rails are also adapted to be positioned in a side-by-side relationship so that a first sidewall of one rail abuts against a second sidewall of the adjacent rail. In doing so, the openings in the first sidewall of the first rail register with the openings in the second sidewall of the second rail.

[0016] An elongated wall pin is slidably mounted to each panel and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In its extended position, the wall pin extends through the opening in the first side rail of its associated panel and through the registering opening in the second side rail of the adjacent second panel. Furthermore, in its extended position, an enlarged diameter collar on the pin abuts against the inner surface of the first side rail of its associated panel.

[0017] A latch pin is also pivotally mounted to each wall pin and movable between a locked and an unlocked position. In its locked position, the latch pin extends through a transverse opening adjacent the free end of its associated wall pin. Conversely, in its unlocked position, the latch disengages from the transverse opening in its associated wall pin.

[0018] In operation, the two wall panels are positioned in a side-by-side relationship so that the openings in the first side rail of the first panel register with the openings in the second side rail of the second panel. The wall pins are then moved to their extended position so that the enlarged diameter collar abuts against the inside surface of the first side rail of its associated panel. Simultaneously, a portion of the free end of the wall pin extends through and protrudes beyond the inside surface of the second side rail of the second adjacent panel.

[0019] With the wall pins in their extended position, the latch is moved from its unlocked and to its locked position. When moved to its locked position, the latch not only prevents retraction of the wall pin from its extended and to its retracted position, but also sandwiches the abutting side rails of the two panels in between the enlarged diameter collar of the wall pin and the latches. In doing so, relative movement between the adjacent side panels is precluded.

[0020] After assembly of the concrete forming panel system, concrete is poured into the cavity formed by the panel system in the conventional fashion and allowed to cure. After curing, the latch pins are moved to their unlocked position and the wall pins are moved to their retracted position thus allowing the panels to be separated from each other for subsequent use elsewhere.

[0021] A primary advantage of the present invention over the previously known concrete forming panel systems is that, since a latch pin is associated with and pivotally mounted to each wall pin, it is no longer required to maintain a separate supply of wedges when constructing the concrete forming panel system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0022] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a portion of the preferred embodiment of the concrete forming panel system of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a view taken substantially along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and enlarged for clarity;

[0025]FIG. 3 is an elevational view illustrating a portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary view illustrating the operation of the present invention prior to locking the panels together;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the panels in an intermediate locking position;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 but illustrating the panels in a locked position;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0030]FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0031] With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a concrete forming panel system 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system 10 includes a plurality of substantially identical panels 12 (only three of which are shown) which are positioned in a side-by-side relationship to form one side of the wall to be poured. Similarly, as best shown in FIG. 2, additional and substantially identical panels 12 are positioned in a spaced apart relationship from the first panels to form a concrete receiving cavity 16 between the facing panels 12.

[0032] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each panel 12 is preferably constructed of aluminum and has a first sidewall 18 and a second side rail 20 spaced apart and generally parallel to the first side rail 18. The side rails 18 and 20 are constructed of aluminum framing members while an aluminum sheet 22 extends between one side of the sidewalls 18 and 20. Similarly, an upper aluminum framing member 24 and lower aluminum framing member 26 extend along both the top and bottom of the sheet 22 so that the panel 12 is generally rectangular in shape.

[0033] As best shown in FIG. 2, at least one and preferably a plurality of spaced openings 26 are provided along the first side rail 18 of each panel 12. Similarly, at least one and preferably a plurality of openings 28 are also provided along the second side rail 20 so that, when the panels 12 are positioned in a side-by-side relationship as shown in FIG. 1, the openings 26 in the first side rail 18 of a first panel 12 register with the openings 28 in the second side rail 20 of the adjacent panel 12. Preferably, a metal bushing 30 is positioned within each opening 26 and 28.

[0034] With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an elongated wall pin 40 is slidably mounted within a guide block 42 secured to the panel 12 so that one wall pin 40 is associated with each opening 26 in the first side rail 18 of each panel 12. The wall pin 40, furthermore, is preferably generally cylindrical in shape and includes an enlarged diameter collar 44 (FIG. 4) at a position spaced inwardly from its free end 46.

[0035] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, each wall pin 40 is movable between a retracted position, illustrated in FIG. 4, and an extended position, illustrated in FIG. 5. In its retracted position, the wall pin 40 is spaced inwardly from the opening 26 in the first side rail 18 of its associated panel 12. Conversely, in its extended position, illustrated in FIG. 5, the wall pin 40 extends through the registering openings 26 and 28 in the first and second rails 18 and 20, respectively, of the panel 12 and its adjacent panel 12 thus locking the adjacent panels 12 together against movement relative to two axes. Furthermore, when the wall pin 40 is in its extended position as shown in FIG. 5, the enlarged diameter collar 44 abuts against the bushing 30 positioned in the opening 26.

[0036] With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a latch 50 is pivotally mounted by a pivot pin 52 to a tab 54 secured to each wall pin 40. The latch 50, furthermore, includes a latch blade 56 at its end most spaced from the pivot pin 52. This latch blade 56 registers with a transverse opening 58 (see also FIG. 3) formed through the wall pin 40 at a position spaced inwardly from its free end 46. Thus, when the latch pin 50 is pivoted from its unlocked position, illustrated in FIG. 5, to its locked position, illustrated in FIG. 6, the latch blade 56 extends through the wall pin opening 58. In doing so, the latch blade 56 abuts against the bearing 30 positioned through the opening 28 in the sidewall 20 of the adjacent panel thus sandwiching the side rails 18 and 20 of the adjacent panels 12 together between the latch blade 56 and the enlarged diameter collar 44 thereby locking the adjacent panels together against relative movement. The latch blade 56 also preferably includes an inclined edge 60 which coacts with the transverse opening 58 in the wall pin 40 to ensure that the adjacent panels 12 are firmly secured together.

[0037] Although the operation of the concrete panel forming system 10 of the present invention should by now be clear, in operation, with the wall pins 40 in their retracted position the panels 12 are positioned in a side-by-side relationship to form one side of the concrete wall to be poured. When so positioned, the wall pins 40 are moved to their extended position and the latches 50 move to their locked position thus rigidly securing the adjacent panels 12 together. When the entire concrete system is thus assembled, concrete is then poured into the concrete receiving cavity 16 (FIG. 2) and allowed to cure.

[0038] After the concrete is cured, the latches 50 are again moved to their unlocked position and the wall pins 40 moved to their retracted position. Thereafter, the wall panels 12 can be separated from each other for subsequent reuse in forming poured concrete walls.

[0039] With reference now to FIG. 7, a modification of the present invention is shown in which a latch 150 is pivotally mounted by a pivot pin 152 to the panel 12 rather than the wall pin 50. With the wall pin in its extended position as shown in FIG. 7, the latch 150 is rotated so that a portion of the latch 150 extends through the transverse opening 58 in the wall pin 50 to lock the adjacent panels together. FIG. 8 illustrates a modified form of the latch 150′.

[0040] A primary advantage of the concrete forming system of the present invention is that, since one latch 50 is permanently associated with each wall pin 40, it is no longer necessary for the installer of the panel system to carry a supply of separate latches in order to complete the assembly of the wall system. Additionally, since the latch blades 56 are automatically aligned with the transverse opening 58 in their associated wall pins 40, rapid assembly of the panel system can be achieved.

[0041] Having described our invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A concrete forming panel system comprising: at least two rectangular panels, each panel having a pair of spaced side rails, said panels having at least one opening along each side rail, said panels adapted to be positioned in a side-by-side relationship so that said side rail of each panel abuts against the side rail of the adjacent side rail and said at least one opening in each side panel registers with the at least one opening in the adjacent panel, an elongated wall pin slidably mounted to each panel and movable between an extended position in which the wall pin extends through registering openings on said side rails of adjacent panels, and a retracted position in which said wall pin is retracted from said registering openings, means connected to the panel system for selectively locking the abutting sidewalls of adjacent panels against movement relative to each other.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said panels are constructed of aluminum.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein each sidewall comprises an aluminum tube.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a tubular and cylindrical bushing positioned in each said opening in said side rail.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one opening in said side rails comprises a plurality of spaced apart openings.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said wall pin includes a flange which abuts against an inner surface of said side rail when said wall pin is in said extended position.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises a latch pivotally mounted to said pin and movable between a locked position in which a portion of said latch extends through a slot in said wall pin thereby entrapping the abutting side rails of adjacent panels between said portion of said latch and said flange, and an unlocked position in which said portion of said latch is retracted from said pin slot.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said portion of said latch is wedge shaped.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said latch is pivotally mounted to said wall pin about an axis transverse to the axis of said wall pin.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a slide block mounted to each panel, said slide block having a through opening which slidably receives said wall pin. 